Lumber Liquidators Laminate Flooring

Lumber Liquidators Pays $13M in Fines, Faces Hundreds of Lawsuits

Lumber Liquidators is under federal scrutiny after it was revealed that Chinese-made laminate flooring imported by the company contains dangerous levels of formaldehyde.

CPSC INVESTIGATES DANGEROUS LAMINATE FLOORING

Investigations by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) began in March 2015 after independent testing of 100 boxes of the laminate flooring revealed that all the tested products violated California’s formaldehyde emissions standards. In some cases, the products exceeded legal formaldehyde levels by 2,000%.

A follow-up investigation, conducted by 60 Minutes, found that of 31 samples of the Chinese laminate flooring, 30 exceeded California’s formaldehyde emissions standards.

The CPSC warns that the flooring poses significant long-term and short-term health risks, especially to young children who may be playing or crawling on the laminate flooring. These risks include an increased risk of cancer. The CPSC is currently weighing whether they will mandate a recall or allow for Lumber Liquidators to issue a voluntary recall.

In February 2016, Lumber Liquidators was fined $13 million for violations of the Lacey Act and for making false statements. It was revealed that the company had claimed the lumber had come from Germany when in fact the product was imported from East Asia. The company is also facing roughly 130 lawsuits from affected consumers.

EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE

Long-term exposure to the laminate flooring may result in:

Cancer

Asthma

Rash

Headaches

Changes in Mood

Depression

Insomnia

Attention Deficit Disorders

Impaired Memory

Impaired Dexterity

Impaired Breathing

Wheezing and Coughing

Respiratory Reactions

Eye Irritation

Nose Irritation

Sinus Irritation

LIST OF AFFECTED LUMBER LIQUIDATOR PRODUCTS

According to reports, the following Lumber Liquidator products are known to have high levels of formaldehyde: